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Global coal demand temporarily declined in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recent reports indicate that demand has rebounded as economies recover from the pandemic and in response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to the Global Energy Review 2025 by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global coal demand rose by 1.2% in 2024. Much of this demand comes from Asia, particularly China, India, and Indonesia.

Despite its critical role in energy supply, coal poses significant environmental risks. So, what exactly are the advantages and disadvantages of coal as an energy source? Let’s break it down.

What Are the Advantages of Coal as an Energy Source?

Coal has long been used to meet electricity demand and fuel economic growth in both developing and industrialized nations. Here are some key advantages of coal:

Abundant Supply

Coal remains one of the most plentiful energy resources worldwide. Global reserves are projected to meet energy needs for several more decades, making coal a dependable energy source, especially in the short to medium term.

Low Production and Distribution Costs

Compared to alternative energy sources, coal is relatively cheap to produce. The supporting infrastructure, such as mining operations, transportation systems, and power plants, is already well established, keeping operational costs low and consistent.

High Energy Output

Coal can generate large amounts of energy, making it highly suitable for electricity production and industrial use.

Coal-fired power plants provide consistent energy output with high operational efficiency, which is vital for national energy security.

Crucial for Heavy Industry

Coal is also widely used in industries such as steelmaking, cement, and chemicals. Certain types of coal, like coking coal, are essential for metallurgical processes and difficult to replace with other energy sources.

Read More: The Benefits of Alternative Energy Over Fossil Fuels

What Are the Disadvantages of Coal?

Despite its benefits, coal also poses serious environmental and health risks. Here are three major downsides of using coal:

Increases Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Coal combustion is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the energy sector, accounting for approximately 40% of global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion.

These emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise, polar ice to melt, and extreme weather patterns to intensify.

Causes Air Pollution

Burning coal releases not only CO₂ but also harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, which can lead to acid rain.

Acid rain contributes significantly to environmental degradation and poor air quality. Additionally, coal-related smog can pose serious health risks when inhaled.

Destroys Ecosystems

Coal mining, especially open-pit mining, can cause severe environmental damage. It often destroys natural habitats, disrupts ecosystems, and leads to erosion and sediment buildup in nearby rivers.

Toxic substances and heavy metals from mining can also contaminate groundwater, threatening both wildlife and human populations.

Read More: The Ideal Energy Alternatives for Coal Replacements

LNG as a Cleaner Alternative to Coal

As global energy demand grows, coal remains a major contributor to carbon emissions and climate change. To address this, the world must turn to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) offers a more eco-friendly and reliable solution. Compared to coal, LNG emits 40% less carbon dioxide (CO₂) and 30% less than petroleum.

Moreover, the LNG processing cycle does not produce solid waste like ash. Its higher energy efficiency also makes LNG a better choice to support the transition toward cleaner energy.

For countries that heavily rely on coal, LNG provides a viable pathway to a greener energy system without compromising energy reliability.

References:

• IEA. Accessed 2025. Coal – Global Energy Review 2025
• Britannica. Accessed 2025. Coal
• World Resources Institute. Accesed 2025. Where Do Emissions Come From? 4 Charts Explain Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector
• National Grid. Accessed 2025. What is Liquified Natural Gas

Both biogas and fossil fuels contain methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that plays a major role in climate change and environmental damage.

So why is biogas often seen as a more sustainable and attractive alternative to fossil fuels?

Let’s dive into the facts and find out why.

What Is Biogas?

Biogas is a form of renewable energy produced through the decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms in an oxygen-free (anaerobic) environment, a process known as anaerobic digestion.

Organic materials that can be turned into biogas include:

• Agricultural waste
• Household waste
• Organic-based industrial waste
• Animal manure

During anaerobic digestion, microorganisms break down the organic matter into simpler compounds such as fatty acids. This process ultimately generates methane gas as the main byproduct.

Methane is the primary component of biogas, and it’s what makes this gas usable as an alternative fuel source.

Read More: 7 Impacts of Deforestation That Threaten Our Future

Why Is Biogas Considered Eco-Friendly?

Compared to fossil fuels, biogas is significantly more environmentally friendly. While fossil fuel combustion releases methane and other harmful gases into the atmosphere, biogas offers a cleaner approach.

According to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), biogas can help reduce methane emissions and cut down on air pollution. That’s because biogas systems capture methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere and use it as a valuable energy source.

Not only does biogas contribute to slowing down climate change, but it also brings health benefits by reducing pollution exposure, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas.

Here are a few more reasons biogas is considered a sustainable energy solution:

Biogas Comes from Animal Waste

Animal manure is rich in both organic and inorganic compounds, making it a suitable material for biogas production.

After the energy is extracted, the leftover slurry can be used as a natural fertilizer to enrich soil and support plant growth.

Biogas Helps Reduce Pollution

Turning animal waste into biogas minimizes the amount of organic waste that would otherwise contaminate the environment.

This reduces the risk of harmful bacteria growth and diseases that can threaten public health.

Biogas Lowers Greenhouse Gas Emissions

When livestock waste is left untreated, it releases methane directly into the air. By converting it into biogas, we significantly reduce methane emissions, helping mitigate global warming.

Read More: The Potential of LNG as Train Fuel, Is It More Efficient?

What’s the Difference Between Biogas and BioLNG?

Both biogas and BioLNG come from organic waste, but they go through different processing stages.

Biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion and contains around 50–70% methane. The process is fairly simple: organic waste is placed in a sealed reactor and decomposed without oxygen.

BioLNG, on the other hand, is created by purifying and liquefying biogas. First, biogas is cleaned to remove carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other impurities, leaving behind pure biomethane.

This purified gas is then cooled to around -160°C, transforming it into liquefied BioLNG.

Advantages of BioLNG:

• Higher energy density and a liquid form that makes it easier to store and transport
• Greater potential for reducing CO₂ emissions
• Minimal particulate emissions, improving air quality
• More efficient distribution compared to regular biogas

With these advantages, BioLNG has the potential to become a cleaner, more sustainable, and environmentally safe energy solution for the future.

References:

• CCAC. Accessed 2025. Biogas: A Climate and Clean Air Solution with Many Benefits
• U.S. Department of Energy. Accessed 2025. Renewable Natural Gas Production

Whether we realize it or not, each year the heat seems to get more intense. And that’s not just our imagination, it’s a fact.

According to data from the National Centers for Environmental Information, 2024 was the hottest year of the 21st century so far. Over the past decade, global temperatures have broken record after record.

We’re facing the reality of global warming, and its effects are becoming more visible than ever. So, what can we do about it? Let’s explore some practical solutions in this article.

Why Global Warming Needs to Be Addressed Now?

Global warming isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a direct threat to human life and all living beings on Earth.

A rise in greenhouse gases such as CO₂, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere causes an increase in global temperatures. These gases trap the sun’s heat and cause Earth’s temperature to rise.

Human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial pollution have accelerated this process.

And we’re already witnessing the consequences:

• Melting polar ice caps, leading to rising sea levels
• More frequent and intense heatwaves
• Widespread wildfires
• Droughts and flash floods
• The spread of diseases like malaria and dengue

Ignoring this issue will only worsen the long-term damage. That’s why action needs to be taken now. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to reverse the damage.

Read More: 5 Signs of Global Warming: Its Symptoms Are Getting Worse

5 Practical Ways to Tackle Global Warming

There are many simple things we can do, starting from our daily habits, that contribute to fighting global warming.

While these actions may not bring instant results, they can help slow down the impact over time.

Here are five things you can start doing today:

1. Save Electricity Wherever You Can

Many people don’t realize that electricity use contributes significantly to global warming.

Most electricity is still produced by burning fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. This buildup of emissions is one of the main causes of global warming.

That’s why reducing electricity consumption, even in small ways, like turning off lights when not in use, can lower energy demand and help reduce emissions.

Read More: Why Biogas Can Save Energy? Here’s the Real Fact!

2. Reforest and Replant Trees

Widespread deforestation has stripped trees of their natural role as carbon absorbers. With fewer trees, more CO₂ stays in the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect.

Tree planting, or reforestation, is a powerful way to balance CO₂ levels. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to regulate the climate, increase humidity, and lower temperatures.

3. Recycle Waste Properly

Organic waste sent to landfills breaks down and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Without proper waste management, this buildup can worsen global warming.

That’s why it’s important to separate organic and non-organic waste before disposal.

Organic waste, like food scraps or dry leaves, can be composted or turned into biogas. Meanwhile, non-organic waste like used plastic bottles can be recycled or repurposed, for instance, into pots or storage containers.

Read More: Why Switching to Green Energy Matters and How It Impacts the Planet?

4. Embrace a Minimalist Lifestyle

Overconsumption drives mass production, which generates more waste and increases greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce environmental damage, it’s time to embrace minimalism.

Start by choosing durable, reusable products, for example, replacing single-use plastic water bottles with stainless steel ones.

5. Use Fuel More Efficiently

Fossil fuel-powered vehicles are a major source of CO₂ emissions. Now, imagine the scale of pollution if everyone relied solely on private transportation every day.

One of the simplest ways to help reduce this impact is by using public transportation. It’s more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and also helps cut down on traffic congestion.

Read More: Is Transportation Truly the Biggest Energy Consumer?

The Role of LNG in Reducing the Impact of Global Warming

Coal is still the dominant energy source in many parts of the world, but it’s also one of the dirtiest. Burning coal releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, accelerating global warming.

That’s why switching to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources is crucial, and this is where LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) can play a vital role.

According to Wood Mackenzie, LNG emits about 50% less CO₂ than coal when used for power generation. That means using LNG can significantly reduce carbon emissions and slow the pace of global warming.

While LNG is not a zero-emissions fuel, it can serve as a transitional energy source as we move toward fully renewable energy systems.

If managed and used responsibly, LNG can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and support climate recovery efforts.

References:

• National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed 2025. Global Climate Report 2024
• Wood Mackenzie. Accessed 2025. Study shows more U.S. LNG is needed to curb Asia’s surging coal use
• DISLHK Bandung. Accessed 2025. 7 Upaya Menanggulangi Pemanasan Global – Penyebab dan Dampaknya